ONE of the “biggest challenges” facing Worcester Warriors “as a rugby business” is the success of the England team, according to chief executive Jim O’Toole.

Warriors' Aviva Premiership gates are down by 14.75 per cent this season after a difficult campaign which has yielded just three league wins so far.

Worcester are averaging league crowds of 7,708 at Sixways compared to 9,042 in their first season back in the top tier after gaining promotion from the Championship.

And O’Toole believes the continued success of Eddie Jones’ England side is having a “perverse” effect on the amount of people watching Premiership rugby.

The Warriors boss claims the 6 Nations “sucks up so much time and money out of the rugby eco system”.

England stretched their winning streak to 16 Tests with a dramatic 21-16 triumph over Wales in Cardiff in the RBS 6 Nations last Saturday.

O’Toole said: “The 6 Nations sucks up so much time and money out of the rugby eco system and you could argue one of the biggest challenges for us a rugby businesses is the ongoing success of the England team.

“If this (England) team continues their unbeaten run they will become more and more special and people will want to go and see them.

“If somebody from Worcester goes to Twickenham for a 6 Nations or autumn international game, for instance, they will probably spend in the region of £250 and that is probably four or five visits to Sixways.

“There’s a threat to clubs when England are doing well which is perverse because the Premiership is set up to create the best possible England team and that’s what we all work towards through English qualified players.”

Warriors’ biggest league attendance this season was for the visit of Harlequins for the Acorn’s charity day which saw 9,054 through the gates.

And the lowest attendance has been the 6,136 who saw Warriors share a 34-34 draw in a thrilling match against Sale Sharks in September.

Worcester’s highest attendance last term was the 10,727 for the visit from Wasps, while they attracted 10,157 for Leicester Tigers and 10,124 for Gloucester.

Their lowest league gate last term was 7,156 who saw Worcester’s match against Sale.

O’Toole said: “Our job is to make it as attractive as possible for people who come here during the 6 Nations and to tailor their television consumption of the event around coming to watch us live.

“We bundled the Saracens and Exeter matches together and continued our family ticket for £50 which worked really well for the Harlequins game and made offers around the cup game.

“We are hoping that will encourage them to watch the excitement of the Premiership which is more cut and thrust than the cup competitions.”

Warriors’ Premiership gates in 2015/16 season:

Northampton Saints 8,483.

Newcastle Falcons 7,987.

Leicester Tigers 10,157.

Harlequins 9,035.

Exeter Chiefs 8,215.

Bath 8,618.

Sale Sharks 7,156.

Gloucester 10,124.

London Irish 9,234.

Wasps 10,727.

Saracens 9,722.

Total: 99,458; Average: 9,042.

Warriors’ Premiership gates this season:

Gloucester 8,905.

Sale Sharks 6,136.

Newcastle Falcons 6,375.

Northampton Saints 8,156.

Wasps 8,027.

Harlequins 9,054.

Saracens 7,302.

Total: 53,955; Average: 7,708.